Archives for October 2004

‘At this point the best part of Bills games is seeing what ridiculous play they will attempt and watch the disastrous results. I predict Brian Moorman, the punter, will be a part of something special within the next few games, just watch. Losing to the Ravens, a playoff contender, is one thing. Losing to the bottom-feeding Cardinals is quite another. The pressure is on; here’s hoping we won’t see any more double-fake plays, or else the Bills could earn themselves the distinction of being the worst team in the NFL.’

‘Henry rushed for more than 1,300 yards in both 2002 and 2003. If there isn’t room for him in the Bills’ plans, he will find a home somewhere else.’

‘"All you have to do is throw the tape on and no matter what I say they’re going to see this team is playing hard," said Mularkey, whose own Bills haven’t topped 20 points yet and don’t have a rushing touchdown. "After their bye week, they went back and retooled a little bit. I just see a different team. They’re playing with more confidence, at a faster tempo, they’re playing more physical."’

‘Now in your second tour of duty with the Bills, you still haven’t been given much of an opportunity. How frustrating is that?

"It’s frustrating, but part of this game at every position is patience. My role is to be a backup receiver and go in there when they need me in certain personnel groupings and just in case something happens on returns."’

‘Bills fans only wish the likes of Bennett and Smith were still around. Even at their advanced ages, could they be much worse than the sorry lot of modern day Bills, who have stumbled to a 1-5 start to the season? It’s a certainty disgruntled fans will start calling for heads to roll should the Bills drop a home date to the Cardinals, who don’t actually remind observers of Smith’s great teams in Dallas.’

‘He was all upside, but Bledsoe’s career arc is a cautionary tale about the unpredictable life of an NFL quarterback.’

Comparisons to greats long gone for Bledsoe (Arizona Republic)

Boldin’s return revives strategy (Arizona Republic)

Change in weather may affect Cards’ passing game (East Valley Tribune)

Pendergast a coach on the rise (East Valley Tribune)

Cards still have shot in wide open NFC West (East Valley Tribune)

Cardinals’ Green explains sacking of line coach (AP)

‘After losing on the road by an average of 24 points a game last season, the Cards have lost by 7, 3 and 3 points this year.’

‘Smith’s continued ability to make a difference stands in stark contrast to the troubles the Bills are enduring. Here’s a team that features an established veteran quarterback in Drew Bledsoe, a three-time Pro Bowl receiver in Eric Moulds, and two talented young running backs in Willis McGahee and Travis Henry, and yet seems incapable of generating a semblance of an offence.’

‘However, Bills fans have been spoiled over the years. If Van Miller still did one thing well at the end of his legendary play-by-play career, it was being objective and not denying things that were easily visible to fans. Murphy doesn’t have to go to WGR territory and make a bad play sound like a capital offense, but he would be wise to be more candid.’

‘The Cardinals are 2-4, but mostly because they’re young and inexperienced – not because their running back is old. Smith has 459 yards rushing, seventh in the NFC, and he’s gaining 4.2 yards per carry this season. Apparently, he wasn’t washed up after leaving Dallas as his critics suggested. He might be past his prime at age 35, but he’s still among the better backs in the NFL.’

‘"(Mark’s) come up with some big plays for us. I know Drew has a lot of confidence in him," Mularkey said.’

Green appoints new aide for line (Arizona Republic)

NFL a game of give and take (Arizona Republic)

Kruczek record close to falling (Arizona Republic)

Cards’ Green re-assigns offensive line coach (East Valley Tribune)

Finally, Wilson lives up to potential (East Valley Tribune)

Cardinals change offensive line coach (AP)

Buffalo, Tough Team, Tough Place to Play (AZCardinals.com)

Smith Looks Forward to More Carries, More Records (AZCardinals.com)

‘The Buffalo Bills are just as bad under Mike Mularkey this season as they were under Gregg Williams last season.’

‘It’s not over until it’s over. We still have a chance to make the playoffs and hopefully go to the Super Bowl. That’s what keeps us ticking. We believe in one another. We would like to all think that we didn’t come up here in April for nothing. Everybody could have been in Florida in April enjoying the weather but we put too much time and effort into it for it to go to waste.’